Wayland gets $2.4 million grant for water work

Tuesday

WAYLAND – The town got a treat on Halloween, but not in the form of candy.

Instead, state officials announced Tuesday that Wayland is receiving a $2.4 million grant to improve and expand water infrastructure along Rte. 20.

The grant, which comes from the MassWorks Infrastructure Program, will help the town replace water piping that is almost 100 years old and extend water service to the planned River's Edge housing development and Sudbury town line. The work will take place from about the Town Center westward.

"This was an infrastructure project that we knew would unleash more economic development and most importantly more housing," Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said after a grant announcement at the Town Building.

River’s Edge is a planned $63.5 million, 188-apartment development that will include some affordable housing and be built on the site of a former municipal septage facility. It will provide much-needed homes, including for people looking to downsize, and lead to new tax revenue, officials said.

The town is working on selling the land to developer Wood Partners.

Speakers at Tuesday’s grant announcement praised the water infrastructure work, which selectmen Chairwoman Lea Anderson said will support “redevelopment and new development along the Rte. 20 commercial corridor.”

Speakers highlighted collaboration within the town, between the town and Wood Partners and, now, between the town and the state.

“This is a partnership and it’s a team effort,” Polito said.

The MassWorks grant program provides funding for projects that generate private sector investment and support housing production, economic development and job creation.

It is competitive. Wayland showed perseverance in applying for the grant multiple times, Polito said.

Construction on the water infrastructure work may begin this spring. The town is contributing $800,000 toward the project.

Brian Benson can be reached at 508-626-3964 or bbenson@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @bbensonmwdn.